Powered by The Big “I” Office of general counsel
Legal Advocacy & Contract Reviews.
Navigating complex legal and business challenges is part of running an agency—but you don’t have to do it alone. The Big “I” Office of General Counsel (OGC) provides guidance on contracts, compliance and advocacy to help you protect your business and stay ahead.
Free Download for Members
Agency-Company Appointment Contracts Guide.
This guide outlines critical contract provisions—including ownership of expirations, data security, and post-termination rights—with key considerations and sample language to help you navigate agreements confidently.
Best Practices
An Agency’s Guide to Producer Contracts.
This 40-page resource breaks down key contract provisions, includes five sample contracts, and features a producer contract checklist to help you build strong agreements with confidence.
Contract reviews.
The Big “I” Office of General Counsel (OGC) reviews agency-company agreements based on requests from member agencies and state associations and in connection with requests for assistance by carriers. The OGC has completed additional, more informal reviews of agreements that are not posted on this website. Please email Scott Kneeland if you have questions about an agency-company agreement that is not addressed below.
Memoranda & FAQs.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Generative AI
Texting with Clients – Requirements Under the TCPA
Worker Classification: Employee vs. Independent Contractor
Governance & Member Information.
- Antitrust Policy and Guide
- Guidelines on Carrier/Vendor Feedback for Agents and Brokers
- Antitrust Compliance Statement for IIABA Committees/Task Forces/Boards
- Statement of Principles on Conflicts of Interest
- Antitrust Policy and Guide and Statement of Principles on Conflicts of Interest Acknowledgment Form
- Standard of Conduct and No-Harassment Policy
- Whistleblower Policy
Nomination Form for IIABA Committee / Task Force / Entity Board (for the term beginning Sept. 1, 2024, and ending Aug. 31, 2025):
The submission period is now closed. Those who received appointments for the 2024-2025 fiscal year have been notified by email. Thank you for your interest in serving our association.
During its January 2024 board meeting, the Big “I” Board of Directors adopted a policy statement on agent compensation and appointments in the current hard insurance market. The statement is intended for all insurance industry stakeholders and emphasizes the critical and unique role that independent agents and brokers play in the insurance marketplace. It details the services they provide for both consumers and carriers and expresses concern about recent carrier reductions in agent commissions and inappropriate agency terminations. While acknowledging the challenges insurers face in the current hard market, the statement also affirms that “we also believe the practice of reducing agent compensation and terminating agency appointments is rash and misguided” and that “the ability of agents to serve the needs of consumers is hindered when insurers inappropriately terminate agency appointments.” The policy document goes on to say that insurers have a responsibility to discuss in advance with their distribution force any significant actions they will take. You can view the January 2024 Big “I” Policy Statement on Agent Compensation and Related Issues by clicking here.
- IIABA Board Policy on Certificates of Insurance and Evidences of Insurance adopted September 29, 2007
- IIABA Policy Statement Regarding Use of Consumer Credit Information and Credit/Insurance Scores adopted September 20, 2002 and revised January 25, 2004
- IIABA Policy Regarding Broker Placement Service Agreements adopted on October 4, 2004
- IIABA Policy Regarding Insurance Company Disclosure of Producer Compensation adopted on September 9, 2005
- IIABA Policy Statement on Real-Time Multiple Company Rating adopted on January 15, 2006
Yonkers Case: National Fire Insurance Company v. Sullard
About the Big “I” Office of General Counsel.
The OGC handles agency/broker member and state association requests on a broad range of legal and business issues, including reviews of and advocacy concerning contracts addressing agency relationships with carriers, Big I trademark use and infringement, antitrust, and federal laws and regulations affecting the insurance industry. The OGC also prepares memoranda and FAQs to assist members in complying with the complex legal requirements of federal laws and regulations that affect their agency and brokerage businesses. External advocacy on behalf of members is central to the activities of the OGC, with an emphasis on the protection of agents ownership of expirations and other key components of agency-company contracts.
In addition, considerable time is spent by the OGC advocating on other issues that impact the efficiency and profitability of members businesses, including proactive negotiation with carriers for changes in agency-company contracts. The OGC also works with members and state associations on strategies for litigation on industry issues. The OGC also provides legal and business counsel to IIABA and all its subsidiaries on contracts that deliver products and services to members, such as the IIABA endorsed errors and omissions program, Big I Markets, Trusted Choice, IA Magazine and the Virtual University.
